A week-long celebration is set to mark a decade of leadership for the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, transforming Ile-Ife into a vibrant hub of African heritage and global cultural exchange. The festivities will run from Sunday, November 30, to Sunday, December 7, and are expected to draw royalty, political leaders, academics, cultural icons, and tourists from around the world.
At a press conference held at the palace yesterday, Olori Aderonke Ogunwusi, palace spokesman Otunba Moses Olafare, Chief of Staff to Slowe Ganzi International Mrs. Bonike Thomas-Ojo, and 10th coronation anniversary committee member Mr. Olabisi Awope outlined the program. They emphasized that the eight-day celebration will showcase the richness of Yoruba culture, foster international cultural dialogue, and affirm Africa’s enduring role in world history.
Themed “Ten Years of Aṣé: A Reign of Peace, Culture and Unity,” the event will honor Yoruba civilization while highlighting the Ooni’s decade-long commitment to peace-building, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment. Highlights include the premiere of a cultural film titled The Journey to Ife: A Renewal of Culture, a Yoruba Drama, Arts and Film Festival, and a vibrant carnival celebrating Yoruba traditions and unity.
Visitors will also experience an exhibition of Yoruba lineage, guided tours of shrines dedicated to deities such as Orunmila, Olodumare, and other Orisas, as well as a Yoruba food festival, fashion shows blending traditional and contemporary styles, traditional sports and games, a royal gala, and a fireworks and drone display narrating the history of the Yoruba nation.
The committee also highlighted the Ooni’s socio-economic initiatives, including the Inagbe Cocowood Factory, OjajaMore Shopping Malls, and employment programs for youths, noting his efforts to bridge Africa and its diaspora since ascending the throne in 2015.
The celebrations will culminate in a royal homage to the Ooni by dignitaries, Obas, and distinguished guests, along with a mystical procession featuring all 401 Ifa deities, providing a spiritual climax to this historic festival.
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